RNLI says Daily Mail story is 'unfair and one-sided'

The right-wing tabloid ran a story at the weekend saying the charity's volunteers were 'drowning in a sea of political correctness imposed by highly-paid pen pushers'

The RNLI has accused the Daily Mail newspaper of publishing a "very unfair, one-sided portrayal" of the charity, claiming that it is being run by left-wingers on large salaries.

An article published by the newspaper on Saturday under the headline "Mayday! Britain's heroic lifeboat volunteers are drowning in a sea of political correctness imposed by highly-paid pen pushers" did not include a response from the RNLI.

The article, which has been shared by 4,500 people, highlighted recent dismissals of volunteers as examples of political correctness at the RNLI.

It also highlighted disputes with crews in places including St Helier, Scarborough, Arbroath, Anglesey and Merseyside.

"To have mass resignations at one lifeboat station might be considered unfortunate, but to suffer at least seven such cases in a period of around 18 months is somewhat more worrying." the article says.

"One possible explanation to the situation is, ironically, that the RNLI has become too popular for its own good – at least when it comes to fundraising."

The article said 35 senior executives earned more than £60,000 in 2016.

It quoted an anonymous fundraiser saying departments were being run by "third sector careerists with no knowledge of the sea, or what makes lifeboats tick, who try to import left-wing values".

Comments posted at the end of the online article includes one that says: "I'll never donate to these vile, greedy people again."

An RNLI spokesman told Third Sector three members of staff spoke to the Daily Mail before the article was published.

The spokesman said: "They spent 90 minutes on the phone to the journalist answering questions open and honestly and correcting any factually incorrect information, providing up-to-date figures where they were using old figures. Plus, we sent a written statement as a follow-up on Friday."

You may have read the RNLI story in today's Daily Mail. Despite providing a statement & interviews with 3 RNLI people, inc volunteers, they've included none of this. This is our response to a very unfair one-sided portrayal of our charity & all those who dedicate their time to it pic.twitter.com/QGk4lxdsiI